Stories by Max Frethey

After weeks of uncertainty for residents about a speed limit increase through a Nelson suburb, the New Zealand Transport Agency has confirmed the community will be consulted.

A 400-signature petition given to Tasman District Council opposes business and industrial zoning plans for the small rural community of Hope, just south of Nelson.

It turns out that hiring a dedicated manager for Nelson's forests is not so clear-cut.

The cost of processing requests for personal information is grating Nelson's elected members after a new staff member had to be hired to deal with the increasing number of requests.

Maintaining Tasman's infrastructure this financial year is expected to cost $3 million more than was budgeted for, and the district's councillors aren't happy.

The Waimea Community Dam finally opened on Friday and served as an example of the country's challenges in delivering large infrastructure projects.

Tasman District Council is currently re-consulting on changes that would primarily lower the speed limits on high-risk rural roads and around several rural schools.

"It's been a long and tortuous process to get this far," mayor Tim King says of the five-year saga.

They voted in favour of Nelson City Council boycotting businesses which operate in illegal Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories.

New rules for cats across the Nelson Tasman region have been aligned after Nelson City Council approved a suite of new rules last week.

The Nelson Surf Life Saving Club has welcomed a council decision for the club to own its new facility.

Nelson's mayor has hit back at "disinformation" being spread on social media about fluoride in the city's water.

With just one year until the next local government elections, getting more young people elected is a challenge across the country and Tasman is no different.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026 but local elected representatives are scared the much-needed upgrade will be forgotten after just the first stage.

While groups across Tasman are supportive of proposed cat management requirements, many are seeking greater controls.

A reserve in Tasman has been torn up by motorbikes and although police are speaking with the alleged offenders, the cost of repairs lies with ratepayers.

Minister Judith Collins applauded the city's uptake of artificial intelligence across various sectors and said the technology was key to lifting productivity.

"Water activities are New Zealanders' birthright," long-time resident Judy Mitchell says, after a draft bylaw was rewritten to protect wharf jumping.

Residents say the proposed controversial maps "essentially rendered our property uninsurable".

Onyx bit a girl's lip, but he isn't dangerous, his owner says.

A group of Golden Bay residents claim a possible gold mine at Sams Creek would endanger the area's water.

Concerns have also been raised about the nearby Kaiteriteri Beach and a stormwater pipe, found with disease-causing organisms, which "is like a magnet for children".

Almost 70 percent of people want to be more involved in council decisions, but reaching the community to enable engagement can be a challenge.

With an average rates rise of 16 percent it's clear increases of that scale can't be absorbed long-term.

Christopher Luxon called for councils to "rein in the fantasies", manage spending, and focus on delivering their core services - but mayors say they already do this.